Breaking up kidney stones: treatment options

Shock-wave treatment aims to fragment a stone so pieces can pass in urine. A thin instrument passed through the urinary tract can also break or remove a stone, and a temporary stent may help urine drain. Some stones are managed with monitoring and symptom relief when a clinician considers passage likely. Imaging helps show obstruction and location.

Arrange a GP consultation for severe or persistent flank pain, blood in urine, painful urination, or difficulty passing urine. Drink fluids according to clinical advice, especially if vomiting or another illness could cause dehydration. Follow instructions about medicines, fasting, activity, and collecting fragments for analysis after treatment.

Seek urgent help for fever or chills with suspected obstruction, inability to pass urine, uncontrolled pain, repeated vomiting, faintness, or worsening weakness. An infected blocked kidney can become dangerous and needs prompt assessment rather than waiting for a stone to pass.

Ask which imaging is needed, whether the stone is likely to pass, what procedure is recommended, how pain will be controlled, whether a stent is required, and how recurrence can be reduced. Ask when follow-up imaging should happen.